The world of Ayurveda is vast and ancient. Ayurveda is a medicinal science that utilizes medicinal plants and ancient methodologies to cure diseases. The term "Ayurveda" is derived from two words: "Ayu," meaning life, and "Veda," meaning knowledge.
BAMS, which stands for Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, is a five-and-a-half-year program (including one year of internship) offered by Tribhuvan University under the Institute of Medicine. The bachelor’s degree program was initiated in 1996 AD. BAMS covers a wide range of subjects, including physiology, yoga, microbiology, biochemistry, and core Ayurvedic subjects such as dravyaguna, rasa shastra, Charak Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and more. Additionally, practical subjects like radiology, pharmacology, forensic medicine, taxology, etc., are also taught to BAMS students. This program is considered equivalent to MBBS, and students can pursue MD, MS, and PhD after completing BAMS. The program follows an annual system.
Here is a list of colleges in Nepal that offer BAMS:
The objectives of the BAMS program are as follows:
Eligibility:
In order to be eligible for admission, applicants must meet the following criteria:
A minimum of 50% or 2.4 CGPA/GPA in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology subjects from a recognized educational institution at the secondary level or equivalent is required to qualify.
Or
In other programs that follow the A-level or similar grading system, studying Physics, Chemistry, and Biology subjects and obtaining a minimum of 50% or 2.4 CGPA/GPA is required to pass.
Or
For qualifications related to health sciences, a minimum of 50% pass mark in subjects such as Ayurveda, Medical Laboratory Technology, Radiography, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Ophthalmic Science is required for programs like BAMS (PCL in Ayurveda), and also registered with the relevant council.
Or
For Health Science-related proficiency certificate level or diploma in General Medicine, Medical Lab Technology, Ophthalmic Science, Dental Science, Pharmacy, Radiography, Ayurveda, or Physiotherapy, students must have passed with a minimum of 50% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology and also registered in the respective council.
Admission Criteria:
The admission criteria for Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery are as follows:
Ayurveda is rapidly gaining momentum in today's world. Its importance and significance are not only growing in Nepal and India but also in developed countries. People are increasingly recognizing the value of yoga and medicinal herbs. When diseases can be treated with herbal remedies, there is no need to rely on chemical-based substances.
Ayurvedic graduates have various employment opportunities, such as working as medical officers or doctors in government and private Ayurvedic hospitals. They can also contribute to the ayurvedic medicine and products industry. Graduates can choose to work in private hospitals, clinics, research institutes, NGOs, INGOs, and more after completing BAMS. The scope of Ayurveda is expanding globally, opening up avenues for graduates to work in different positions in foreign countries.